The Best Non-Diamond Alternatives To Engagement Rings
Diamonds have been the go-to choice for many when it comes to engagement rings. Yet lately, we’ve seen couples opt for other stones to recognize their love. Perhaps there’s a desire to be more eco- and budget-friendly. Or you might just prefer vibrant color over clear brilliance. The good news is that there are so many options out there for couples to choose from when it comes to telling your individual love story.
If you’re looking for the best non-diamond alternatives to engagement rings, keep reading!
Rubies
Surprisingly – or perhaps not that surprisingly – rubies, have a long history of symbolizing love, courage, passion, and protection. They were a popular gemstone among royals, and are still a bold and vibrant choice today. Their ability to be cut in any shape and placed in any setting makes them a great option for an engagement ring.
Most commonly a bright cherry-red color, they cover the spectrum from a reddish-brown to a blood-red with blue and purple undertones – such as this stunning Burmese ruby. They’re the second hardest gemstone, right behind a diamond, so you can rest assured that your ruby can be worn daily. Go red to show how deep your love is!
Sapphires
When people think of sapphires, they often think of the vibrant blue characterized by Princess Diana (and now Kate Middleton’s) stunning engagement ring. What many people don’t know is that sapphires actually come in a variety of colors. While the most common color for sapphire is blue, there are sapphires that are purple, pink, yellow, green, orange, black, brown, and even white.
Their hardness and durability means sapphires are suitable for everyday wear or for special occasions to be passed down through the generations. When looking at a sapphire, the most popular cut is an oval to showcase the stone’s vibrant color. They look stunning in both contemporary and traditional ring settings, and because of the wide variety of colors, they can be set in just about any type of metal. Basically, there’s a sapphire for everyone!
Emeralds
With colored gemstone engagement rings on the rise among brides, we would be remiss if we left out emeralds. The deep green hue of an emerald immediately catches the eye – just think of Michelle Yeoh’s stunning ring in Crazy Rich Asians!
Emeralds come in a variety of deep green hues ranging from bright green to bluish-green, and pair beautifully with pretty much every type of metal, stone, and setting. Because of their lower density, they can actually appear larger than a diamond of the same carat size. That means you can get more bang for your buck with a stunning emerald engagement ring.
One caveat of emeralds is that they are a slightly softer stone, which means they need to be cut carefully and precisely. Done right by a professional cutter, they can be cut and polished into a variety of shapes to be worn daily. With a stunning emerald engagement ring, you’re sure to always be in fashion.
The non-diamond options for an engagement ring are endless. Make an appointment to see our collection of loose gemstones and rings to see what speaks most to you. Remember – your engagement ring is meant to reflect your individual love – which is why there’s a stone out there for everyone. We’d love to be the ones to help you find the perfect one that tells your story.
